This CNBC|SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey for the first quarter 2020 — which includes responses from more than 2,100 small business owners — was conducted the same week (Feb. 3–Feb. Trump’s job-approval numbers are consistently higher among small business owners than they are in national polls, solely thanks to the fact that many more small business owners are Republicans than Democrats.” A 6% spike among small business owners who identify as political Independents influenced the Trump approv

Initial jobless claims rise 4,000 to 210,000CNBC’s Rick Santelli reports on the latest economic data including jobless claims and February Philadelphia Fed manufacturing.

Watch CNBC’s full interview with Federal Reserve Vice Chair Richard ClaridaFederal Reserve Vice Chair Richard Clarida sits down with CNBC’s Steve Liesman to discuss the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, inflation targets, the path of interest rates, size of the balance sheet and more.

“Roth IRAs, Roth conversions, are sometimes seen as really benefiting just wealthy taxpayers,” said Christine Russell, senior manager of retirement and annuities at TD Ameritrade. Here are the biggest things that investors typically do not know about Roth IRAs. But these savings are separate, which means you can make Roth 401(k) contributions and save in a Roth IRA at the same time. Roth IRA conversions can mitigate tax billsJust the term “Roth IRA conversion” alone tends to confuse people, Russ

Revenue was also below Wall Street forecasts, but ViacomCBS said the quarter was transitional and that the combination will cut expenses by more than expected. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) – The cruise line operator beat estimates by 3 cents a share, with quarterly earnings of 73 cents per share. Revenue beat Wall Street forecasts. IMAX (IMAX) – IMAX beat estimates by 4 cents a share, with quarterly earnings of 35 cents per share. The fertilizer producer’s revenue beat estimates and predicted a

Stone was found guilty of five counts of false statements, and one count each of obstruction of proceedings and witness tampering. Prosecutors said Stone kept Trump’s camp aware of what he had learned about WikiLeaks’ plans for releasing the emails. But Stone told a House committee the following year that he had no such conversations with the Trump campaign about WikiLeaks. Trump later told Mueller in written answers to questions, “I do not recall discussing WikiLeaks with” Stone, “nor do I reca

Virgin Galactic’s monster stock rally in the past few months has taken even bullish Morgan Stanley by surprise, with shares of the company nearing $40. “A modest correction is overdue, and frankly, healthy, in our opinion,” Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said in a note to investors titled “even spaceships must return to Earth.” Despite Morgan Stanley’s warning, Virgin Galactic rose more than 2% in premarket trading. Virgin Galactic has become Wall Street’s favorite speculative play, with shar

The broad-based S&P 500 and tech-focused Nasdaq hit all-time highs on Wednesday as fears over the coronavirus outbreak began to recede and the bulls rushed back in. But after a steep run to records for U.S. markets, some strategists are looking farther afield for value. “The stock market, the bond market, and the dollar are all up in value because we’re dealing with this virus outbreak uncertainty still. Yet, there’s value in the foreign markets, particularly when you’re looking at the markets t

A Domino’s Pizza food delivery courier drives a moped away from a Domino’s Pizza store in Hanwell, London. Domino’s Pizza on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped analysts’ expectations after strong U.S. sales, despite increased competition. Domino’s reported U.S. same-store sales growth of 3.4%, topping Wall Street’s estimates of 2.3%. The pizza chain also reaffirmed its two-to-three year outlook. Domino’s expects U.S. same-store sales growth in a range of 2% to 5% and gl

“We’re positive on AMD ‘s competitive positioning and share gain story. However, at current levels, and based on our new sum-of-the- parts (SOTP) analysis, we are downgrading to Equal Weight from Overweight as we see shares approaching levels that present a more balanced risk/reward”JPMorgan downgraded the beverage maker and said it was seeing “new and intensifying” competition in many high profile markets as well as disruption from hard seltzer in the United States.

“Market pricing on rate cuts is a little tricky,” Clarida said, noting that he prefers to look at economists’ forecasts over futures markets on Fed rates. Dow futures were last down 90 points after being down around 40 points before the Clarida interview. —Stevens8:15 am: Morgan Stanley to acquire E-Trade for $13 billionMorgan Stanley has agreed to buy E-Trade in a $13 billion all-stock deal, the companies said on Thursday. Morgan Stanley shares fell more than 4% in premarket trading. —Li8:11 am

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose modestly last week, suggesting sustained labor market strength that could help to support the economy amid risks from the coronavirus and weak business investment. Washington and China signed a Phase 1 trade deal in January. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 210,000 for the week ended Feb. 15, the Labor Department said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims increasing to

Private equity firm Sycamore Partners will acquire a 55% share in Victoria’s Secret from its owner L Brands for $525 million, the companies announced Thursday. L Brands, which has a market value of $6.7 billion, has seen its stock fall more than 11% over the past year. L Brands will use the funds from the deal, along with $500 million in excess balance sheet cash, to reduce its debt. As part of its deal explorations, L Brands had also explored a transaction through which Sycamore would have inve

Wall Street investment bank Morgan Stanley will acquire E-Trade for $13 billion, the companies said on Thursday, the latest in a consolidation wave for the brokerage industry. Morgan Stanley will pay $58.74 a share in stock for E-Trade in a deal bringing together $3.1 trillion in client assets. In the past, Morgan Stanley has struggled to raise deposits to fund loans to its wealthy clientele. “They both have leading corporate stock plan businesses and a big part of Morgan Stanley’s growth initia

Another serious respiratory illness, the seasonal flu, is at its peak, with more than 26 million cases and many hospitals stretched thin. It reiterated, however, a forecast for growth in global container demand of 1% to 3% this year, saying Chief Executive Soren Skou remained optimistic about a rebound in the second quarter. Global container demand grew 1.4% in 2019 and 3.8% the year before. — Reuters7 am: Air France says coronavirus impact could climb above $200 millionAir France-KLM warned of

Nintendo will reveal more details about Animal Crossing: New Horizons today, exactly one month ahead of the game’s release on Nintendo Switch, during a Nintendo Direct presentation on the idyllic life simulation. Animal Crossing: New Horizons sends players on an island vacation planned by Tom Nook’s travel agency. The Nintendo Switch sequel will add brand-new customization options and support for up to eight players in local and online multiplayer. Nintendo will release Animal Crossing: New Hori

UBS Group tapped ING Groep’s Ralph Hamers to lead the bank, making it the second major Swiss lender to replace its chief executive officer this month. Hamers succeeds Sergio Ermotti, who has been with UBS for close to a decade, UBS said on Wednesday. Separately, ING said Hamers, a 30-year company veteran who took over the top job in 2013, will leave the Dutch bank on June 30. During his stint as ING CEO, Hamers steered the lender to profitability, while repaying the Dutch government money it rec

A Boeing 777X airliner lifts off for its first flight at Paine Field on January 25, 2020 in Everett, Washington. Washington state lawmakers moved on Wednesday to remove a key tax break for Boeing and other aerospace firms in a bid to head off possible European tariffs on U.S. goods and ease a transatlantic trade dispute over aircraft subsidies. Washington state lawmakers in Olympia said they had introduced companion bills in the Senate and House that would remove the aerospace tax break, which s

Police gave no details of the suspected gunman but said “there are currently no indications of further perpetrators.” The number of dead in the shootings Wednesday evening rose to nine, a police statement said. They said a dark vehicle was seen leaving the location of the first attack and another shooting was reported at a scene about 2 1/2 kilometers (1 1/2 miles) away. Police officers swarmed central Hanau, cordoning off the area of one of the shootings as a helicopter hovered overhead. Hanau

The laggards, which included Somalia (178th), Chad (179th) and the Central African Republic (180th), dropped well short on those counts. However, the World Health Organization, which was among 40 child and healthcare organizations to co-author the report, was quick to say that no country was doing enough to support the next generation. “This report shows that the world’s decision makers are, too often, failing today’s children and youth: failing to protect their health, failing to protect their